Cartridge and a base unit for use in an oral care appliance

ABSTRACT

A cartridge and a base unit for use in an oral care appliance are disclosed. The cartridge includes a connection interface configured to form a detachable connection. The base unit is also configured to engage operatively with the cartridge to facilitate flow of an oral care composition from the cartridge into the oral care appliance.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/270,370, filed on Feb. 7, 2019, which is incorporated by reference inits entirety herein for all purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Dental cleaning devices such as electric toothbrushes, oral irrigators,dental water jets or electric flosses intend to provide cleaning resultsby eradicating the food remains, plaque, etc., from the teeth. Many ofthese devices are portable devices and have been developed over theyears to achieve the purpose of oral hygiene.

In addition, along with the dental cleaning device, suitable dentifricealso plays an important role in oral hygiene. However, current brushingsystems or dental cleaning devices that are meant to be used withdentifrice are usually not provided with integrated dentifricedispensers. Thus, users must procure additional dentifrice dispensers ifthey want to achieve optimal oral care hygiene. This present situationis not ideal because current oral care appliances are not suitable forachieving by themselves optimal oral care hygiene.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A need exists for an oral care appliance that comprises an integrateddentifrice dispenser. Moreover, as different users may require differentdentifrices, it is desirable to have oral care appliances withdentifrice dispensers which may be securely and easily engaged ordisengaged with a handle or body portion of the oral care appliance.

Specific embodiments of the invention aim to address these needs byproviding a cartridge and a base unit for use in an oral care appliance.The oral care appliance may be used for cleaning, whitening, removingplaque, and in other general oral care applications for providing oralcare hygiene.

Specific embodiments of the invention include a cartridge for use in anoral care appliance. The cartridge comprises a housing for storing anoral care composition, a connection interface configured to form adetachable connection with the oral care appliance, and a valve assemblyconfigured to prevent escape of the oral care composition when theconnection interface is in a detached position and to allow flow of theoral care composition through the connection interface to the oral careappliance when the connection interface is in an attached position. Thevalve assembly is positioned in the connection interface and comprisesat least two valves.

According to specific embodiments of the invention, the housing may havea symmetrical shape.

According to specific embodiments of the invention, at least a portionof the housing may be rigid.

According to specific embodiments of the invention, the housing of thecartridge may comprise a cavity for storing the oral care composition.

According to specific embodiments of the invention, the housing of thecartridge may comprise a flexible membrane configured to deform inresponse to pressure variations in the cartridge.

According to specific embodiments of the invention, the at least twovalves of the valve assembly may be made of flexible material.

According to specific embodiments of the invention, the valve assemblymay have only one valve wherein the valve is made of rigid material.

According to specific embodiments of the invention, the connectioninterface of the cartridge may be configured to interact with a baseunit of the oral care appliance to allow the flow of oral carecomposition to the oral care appliance.

According to specific embodiments of the invention, the valve assemblymay be configured to form at least one fluidic path allowing flow of theoral care composition through the connection interface to the oral careappliance.

According to specific embodiments of the invention, the connectioninterface may be a cartridge neck.

According to specific embodiments of the invention, the cartridge neckmay be configured to facilitate easy and secure coupling of thecartridge to the base unit.

According to specific embodiments of the invention, the cartridge mayfurther comprise an air intake aperture.

According to specific embodiments of the invention, the air aperture inthe cartridge may be configured to regulate the pressure difference inthe cartridge and the surrounding air.

According to specific embodiments of the invention, the symmetric shapeof the housing may allow plugging of the cartridge to the base unitregardless of the direction of the cartridge.

Specific embodiments of the invention provide a base unit for use in anoral care appliance. The base unit comprises a connection interface tobe plugged to a cartridge containing an oral care composition. The baseunit comprises a needle assembly configured to be operatively engaged tothe cartridge to facilitate flow of the oral care composition from thecartridge into the oral care appliance.

According to specific embodiments of the invention, the needle assemblyof the base unit may comprise at least one aperture configured to allowthe flow of oral care composition from the cartridge to the oral careappliance.

According to specific embodiments of the invention, the needle assemblyof the base unit may comprise an additional aperture to facilitate theinlet of air to the cartridge.

According to specific embodiments of the invention, the additionalaperture of the needle assembly may be configured to regulate thepressure inside the cartridge by facilitating the inlet of air to thecartridge during the extraction of the oral care composition.

According to specific embodiments of the invention, the needle assemblyof the base unit may be configured to interact with the valve assemblypositioned in the cartridge to form a sealed connection.

According to specific embodiments of the invention, the connectioninterface of the base unit may be configured to be coupled with theconnection interface of the cartridge to make a sealed connection.

According to specific embodiments of the invention, the needle assemblyof the base unit may be configured to form at least a fluidic pathallowing flow of the oral care composition from the cartridge to theoral care appliance.

According to specific embodiments of the invention, the base unit mayfurther comprise at least a first part made up of soft materialconfigured to ensure a snug fit connection between the cartridge and thebase unit.

According to specific embodiments of the invention, the base unit mayfurther comprise at least a second part made up of hard materialconfigured to provide support to the cartridge when it is plugged to thebase unit.

According to specific embodiments of the invention, the length of theneedle assembly may be dimensioned so that the needle is long enough topenetrate the valve assembly of the cartridge and short enough so thatit allows for draining of the entire volume of oral care compositioncontained in the cartridge.

According to specific embodiments of the invention, the base unit may beconfigured to allow plugging and/or unplugging of the cartridge to theoral care appliance without any leakage of the oral care composition.

According to specific embodiments of the invention, the base unit maycomprise means to form a snug fit connection with the cartridge.

According to specific embodiments of the invention, the means of thebase unit may comprise at least a male connector or at least a femaleconnector facilitating the connection between the base unit and thecartridge.

According to specific embodiments of the invention, the diameter of thefemale connector of the base unit may be smaller than the exteriordiameter of the cartridge cap to allow for plugging and unplugging ofthe cartridge to the oral care appliance without any leak.

According to specific embodiments of the invention, the base unit may beshaped to match the cartridge shape.

According to specific embodiments of the invention, the base unit maycomprise a mixing chamber to extract the oral care composition from thecartridge and to regulate the pressure inside the cartridge.

According to specific embodiments of the invention, the base unit maycomprise a venturi effect chamber for aspiration/dispensing of the oralcare composition from the cartridge.

Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the presentdisclosure will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanyingdrawing figures in which like numerals represent like features.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates a cartridge 4 in accordance with specificembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the cartridge 4 inaccordance with specific embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1C illustrates a front view of the cartridge 4 comprising a cavity45 in accordance with specific embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1D illustrates a cross-sectional view of the cartridge 4 having onevalve 410 a in accordance with specific embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2A illustrates a cross-sectional view of a connection interface 42of the cartridge 4 in accordance with specific embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the connection interface42 with only one valve 410 a in accordance with specific embodiments ofthe present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates the cartridge 4 comprising a flexible membrane 407 inaccordance with specific embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates the cartridge 4 comprising an air intake aperture 444in accordance with specific embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5A illustrates a base unit 6 in accordance with specificembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the base unit 6 inaccordance with specific embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6A illustrates a needle assembly 610 of the base unit 6 with oneaperture 616 in accordance with specific embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6B illustrates a needle assembly 610 of the base unit 6 with atleast two apertures 614 and 616 in accordance with specific embodimentsof the present invention.

FIG. 7A shows the base unit 6 plugged into the cartridge 4 in accordancewith specific embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7B illustrates the base unit 6 with a check valve 618 in accordancewith specific embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates the cartridge 4 with the air intake aperture 444positioned on the base unit 6 in accordance with specific embodiments ofthe present invention.

FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C illustrate the base unit 6 comprising a mixingchamber 630 plugged to the cartridge 4 in accordance with specificembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrate the base unit 6 comprising a venturi effect chamber640 plugged to the cartridge 4 in accordance with specific embodimentsof the present invention.

FIG. 11A illustrates a portion of a push to plug mechanism in accordancewith specific embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 11B illustrates the cartridge 4 and the base unit 6 coupled via apush to plug mechanism in accordance with specific embodiments of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the present invention can be understood by reference to thefigures and description set forth herein. However, the followingdescriptions, and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way ofillustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications tothe specific descriptions may be made without departing from the spiritand scope thereof, and the present invention includes all suchmodifications. It is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments mayor may not overlap with each other. Thus, part of one embodiment, orspecific embodiments thereof, may or may not fall within the ambit ofanother, or specific embodiments thereof, and vice versa.

Aspects of specific embodiments of this invention will be presentedusing specific examples and will be represented in different figures.For clarity and ease of description, each aspect includes only a fewembodiments. Different embodiments from different aspects may becombined or practiced separately, to design a customized processdepending upon application requirements. Many different combinations andsub-combinations of a few representative processes shown within thebroad framework of this invention, that may be apparent to those skilledin the art but not explicitly shown or described, should not beconstrued as precluded.

FIGS. 1A-1B show a cartridge 4 for use in an oral care appliance,wherein the cartridge 4 comprises a housing 40 for storing an oral carecomposition 2, e.g. dentifrice, and a connection interface 42 configuredto form a detachable connection with a base unit of the oral careappliance. The cartridge 4 further comprises a valve assembly 410configured to prevent escape of the oral care composition 2 when theconnection interface 42 is in a detached position and to allow flow ofthe oral care composition 2 through the connection interface 42 to theoral care appliance when the connection interface 42 is in an attachedposition. The valve assembly 410 is positioned in the connectioninterface 42 of the cartridge 4 and comprises at least two valves 410 aand 410 b. Two valves greatly enhance the protection against leakage,especially during plugging and unplugging of the connection interface42. More specifically, during the unplugging phase, the first valve 410a reaches the closed position while the second valve is still in theopen position, the oral care composition 2 in the cartridge 4 is thenprevented from leaking out even if the complete closing of the secondvalve 410 b is not instantaneous. Furthermore, during the pluggingphase, the second valve 410 b is open while the first valve 410 aremains closed. This first valve aperture forms a tight and sealedconnection while the oral care composition 2 contained in the cartridge4 is prevented from leaking by the closed valve 410 a. The second valve410 a is then opened. The oral care composition 2 is allowed to flowonly when both valves 410 a and 410 b are open. The valve assembly 410thus provides a leak-proof connection of the connection interface 42 ofthe cartridge 4. Further, the valve assembly 410 ensures that thecartridge 4 can be easily attached or detached to the base unit of theoral care appliance without any leaks.

In specific embodiments of the invention as shown in FIG. 1C, thehousing 40 of the cartridge 4 comprises a cavity 45 for storing the oralcare composition 2. Preferably, at least a portion of the housing 40 isrigid (i.e., is made up of a rigid material). In one example, thehousing 40 is made up of hard material such as a material selected from,but not limited to, PET, plastic, Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS),PVC (polyvinyl chloride), a high-density polyethylene polymer or othersuch similar material known as a relatively hard material for oral careappliances to a person skilled in the art. Advantageously, the housing40 of the cartridge 4 has a symmetrical shape to allow connection of thecartridge 4 to the base unit of the oral care appliance regardless ofthe direction of the cartridge 4. In one example, the shape of thehousing 40 is selected from, but not limited to, circular, oval,rectangular, square, oblong or the like, when viewed from the top in atwo-dimensional plane. In one specific example, the shape of the housingis oblong as shown in FIG. 1A. The shape of the housing 40 can beselected to fit the design of the oral care appliance or the base unitto facilitate the plugging of the cartridge 4.

In specific embodiments, the cartridge 4 is made of polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) which is a thermoplastic plastic produced bypolycondensation in the family of polyesters. This material is lightweight, so it is ideal for shipping, chemically inert to prevent anychemical reaction with the oral care composition 2 and recyclable. Theuse of PET also presents a blow molding possibility enabling it to bemanufactured into a cartridge.

In specific embodiments of the invention, the oral care composition 2can be in solid, liquid, gaseous, gel or emulsion form or a combinationthereof.

The oral composition referred to herein could comprise: a polishingagent such as an inert abrasive; a cleaning agent such as fluoride,activated charcoal, or a fluoride-free antibacterial composition; ahalitosis treatment agent such as chlorine dioxide; or a whitening agentsuch as hydrogen peroxide. The active composition could also be anymixture of these kinds of agents and chemicals.

The dimensions of the cartridge 4 can be chosen so that its inner volumecomprises between 100 to 400 ml of the oral care composition 2. In oneexample, length of the housing 40 can be in the range of 50 mm to 90 mm,width of the housing 40 can be in the range of 30 mm to 55 mm, andheight of the housing can be in the range of 40 mm to 70 mm.

As mentioned above, the connection interface 42 of the cartridge 4 isconfigured to interact with the base unit. In other words, theconnection interface 42 is configured to form a sealed connection with acorresponding connection interface of the base unit in order to allowthe flow of oral care composition 2 from the cartridge 4. In order to doso, the valve assembly 410 comprises at least the two valve(s) 410 a and410 b which can be made up of flexible material selected from, but notlimited to, silicon, polymers, thermosetting silicone material, rubber,vinyl-methyl-silicone or any other flexible material for oral careappliances known to a person skilled in the art. As shown on thefigures, the valve(s) 410 a and 410 b are configured in series to make awatertight sealing in the connection interface 42. Moreover, the valves410 a and 410 b of the valve assembly 410 are configured to beopened/pierced while making the connection with corresponding members ofthe base unit in order to form at least one fluidic path allowing flowof the oral care composition 2 through the connection interface 42 ofthe cartridge 4. In one specific example, the valve assembly 410 isconfigured to interact with a needle assembly present in the base unitto form the fluidic path allowing flow of the oral care composition 2from the cartridge 4 to the oral care appliance. The space between thetwo valve(s) 410 a and 410 b can be set such that the deformations ofthe two valve(s) 410 a and 410 b are independent when the cartridge 4 isin the attached position.

The valve assembly 410 is thus configured to seal the cartridge 4, thuspreventing the leakage/escape of the oral care composition 2 when thecartridge 4 is not connected to the base unit (i.e., when the connectioninterface 42 is in the detached position).

In specific embodiments of the invention, the valve assembly 410comprises only one valve 410 a as shown in FIG. 1D to prevent escape ofthe oral care composition 2 when the connection interface 42 is in thedetached position and to allow flow of the oral care composition 2through the connection interface 42 to the oral care appliance when theconnection interface 42 is in the attached position. In this case, thevalve 410 a is preferably thicker or made up of more rigid material ascompared to the valve assembly 410 with at least two valves in order toensure good sealing of the cartridge 4 when the connection interface 42is in the detached position. Moreover, to ensure good sealing of thecartridge 4, the shape of the valve 410 a can be selected from, but notlimited to duck bill, umbrella, canopy or the like.

In specific embodiments of the invention, the connection interface 42 isa cartridge neck 48 as shown in FIG. 2A. The cartridge neck 48 furthercomprises a cap 3 to provide a closure to the cartridge 4. The cap 3 canbe coupled to the outer wall 42 a of the connection interface 42 by aconnection selected from, but not limited to, a snug fit connection, akey-lock connection, a threaded connection or the like. In one example,the connection between the cap 3 and the connection interface 42 is athreaded connection as shown in FIG. 2A. The cap 3 comprises a member 30configured to hold the valve assembly 410 when the cap 3 is engaged withthe cartridge neck 48. The member 30 can be a protruding memberconfigured to hold the valve assembly 410 circumferentially. The shapeof the member 30 can be selected to any suitable shape complementary tothe shape of valve assembly 410 arranged in the cartridge 4 and/or toprovide enough support to the valve assembly 410 when the cartridge 4 isin the attached position. The cap 3 further comprises a hole 35configured to allow a needle assembly of the base unit to pass throughit and interact with the valve assembly 410 of the cartridge 4. Thediameter of the hole 35 is complementary to the diameter of the valveassembly 410 and diameter of the needle assembly. In one example, thediameter of the hole 35 is selected from 2 mm to 14 mm. The cap 3 isconfigured to have complementary dimensions in order to engage with thecartridge neck 48. In one example, the diameter of the cap 3 iscomplementary to the external diameter of the cartridge neck 48. Theexterior diameter of the cap 3 may be in the range of 28 mm to 38 mmwhile the interior diameter of the cap 3 is slightly larger than theexterior diameter of the cartridge neck 48 to ensure tight connectionbetween the cartridge neck 48 and the cap 3.

FIG. 2B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the connection interface42 with only one valve 410 a. In specific embodiments of the invention,the connection interface 42 is engaged to the cap 3 via outer wall 42 aof the connection interface 42. The cap 3 comprises a member 30configured to hold the valve assembly 410. The valve 410 a of the valveassembly is configured to be opened/pierced while making the connectionwith corresponding members of the base unit to form at least one fluidicpath allowing flow of the oral care composition 2 through the connectioninterface 42 of the cartridge 4.

In specific embodiments of the invention as shown in FIG. 3, the housing40 of the cartridge 4 comprises a flexible membrane 407 configured todeform in response to a pressure difference. The flexible membrane 407forms the cavity 45 to store the oral care composition 2 and can bedeformed to dispense the oral care composition 2 from the cartridge 4under the effect of pressure. The flexible membrane 407 is made up offlexible material selected from, but not limited to, silicon, softpolymer or the like. In another embodiment of the invention, the oralcare composition 2 can be dispensed out from cartridge 4 as shown inFIG. 3 with the help of a pump, thereby creating a negative pressuredifference between the cavity 45 and the exterior environment, thusaspirating the oral care composition 2 into the base unit 6 or,alternatively, creating a positive pressure between the area above theflexible membrane 407 and the cavity 45, thus pushing the oral carecomposition 2 into the base unit 6.

In specific embodiments of the invention as shown in FIG. 4, thecartridge 4 comprises an air intake aperture 444 present on the housing40 itself. In another embodiment of the invention, the air intakeaperture 444 is provided with a valve configured to regulate the inletof air into the cartridge 4. In one example, the air intake aperture 444can be provided for regulating the pressure inside the cartridge 4 andthe valve on the air intake aperture 444 is provided to prevent the oralcare composition 2 from leaking out of the cartridge 4 duringtransportation and handling. In another example, the valve permitsinsertion of air inside the cartridge 4 to equalize the pressure whenthe oral care composition 2 is aspirated or dispensed from the cartridge4. In some further particular examples, the air intake aperture 444 andthe valve can be placed on any position in the housing 40 of thecartridge 4.

In FIG. 5A, a base unit 6 according to specific embodiments of theinvention comprises a connection interface 62 to be plugged to thecartridge 4. The base unit 6 further comprises a needle assembly 610configured to be operatively engaged to the cartridge 4 to facilitateflow of the oral care composition 2 from the cartridge 4 into the oralcare appliance.

As shown in FIG. 5B, the connection interface 62 of the base unit 6comprises at least a first part 612 configured to make a connection withthe corresponding connection interface 42 of the cartridge 4. Theconnection interface 62 further comprises at least a second part 620configured to provide support to the connection between the cartridge 4and the base unit 6. Materials of the first part 612 and the second part620 can be chosen such that a snug fit connection can be formed betweenthe cartridge 4 and the base unit 6 when the cartridge 4 is plugged tothe base unit 6. As used herein, a snug fit refers to a clearance fitthat is over line-to-line and can be released by hand. With reference toFIG. 5B, this refers to the fact that connection interface 62 may bepartially compressed during connection to the cartridge. In specificexamples, the first part 612 is made up of soft material selected from,but not limited to, TPU, silicone, TPE or other soft polymers used inoral appliances as known to persons skilled in the art. On the contrary,the second part 620 is preferably made up of hard material selectedfrom, but not limited to, hard plastic, ABS, acrylic, nylon, PBT orother suitable hard materials used in oral care appliances as known topersons skilled in the art. Accordingly, the second part 620 providessupport to the connection between the cartridge 4 and the base unit 6.

In specific embodiments of the invention, the connection interface 62comprises means to form a snug fit connection with the cartridge 4.These means of the connection interface 62 further comprises at least amale connector or at least a female connector. In one example, thefemale connector 600 of the base unit 6 is configured to engage with thecorresponding male connector of the cartridge 4. The connection betweenthe female connector 600 and the corresponding male connector of thecartridge 4 can be a locking/keying connection, threaded connection,snug fit connection or the like.

In specific embodiments of the invention, the female connector 600 asshown in FIGS. 5A and 5B is configured to engage with the cartridge neck48 of the cartridge 4.

In specific embodiments of the invention, the female connector 600 isengaged with the cartridge neck 48 by a rotation or sliding mechanism ofthe cartridge neck 48 against the female connector 600 of the base unit.According to another embodiment, the female connector 600 can be engagedwith the cartridge neck 48 by a push-to-plug/push-to-release mechanismto ease the plugging of the cartridge 4.

In specific embodiments of the invention, diameter of the femaleconnector 600 is only slightly larger than the exterior diameter of thecap 3 of the cartridge 4 to allow plugging and unplugging of thecartridge 4 without any leak.

As mentioned above, the needle assembly 610 of the base unit 6 isconfigured to be operatively engaged to the cartridge 4. Accordingly,the needle assembly 610 is configured to interact with the valveassembly 410 of the cartridge 4, thereby forming at least a fluidic pathto allow for the flow of the oral care composition 2 from the cartridge4 into the oral care appliance. To do so, the needle assembly 610 isconfigured to have at least one aperture 616 configured to let the oralcare composition 2 flow to the oral care appliance as shown in FIG. 6A.In specific embodiments of the invention, the needle assembly 610comprises at least two apertures 614 and 616 as shown in FIG. 6B. Thetwo apertures 614 and 616 facilitate the flow of the oral carecomposition 2 to the oral care appliance through the base unit 6 and theinlet of air into the cartridge 4. In one example, the apertures 614 and616 can be of different dimensions, i.e. the smaller dimension aperture614 acts as an air inlet (air intake aperture) to facilitate the inletof air to the cartridge 4 and the larger dimension aperture 616 acts asan outlet for the oral care composition 2 from the cartridge 4. Inanother embodiment, the apertures 614 and 616 are of similar diameters.

The needle assembly 610 of the base unit 6 can be of any shape suitablefor plugging into the cartridge 4. The shape of the needle assembly 610may be selected from, but not limited to, cylindrical, conical, tubularor any suitable shape known to the person skilled in the art. Theconical shape of the needle assembly 610 is shown in FIG. 6B.

In specific embodiments of the invention, the diameter of the aperture614 is such that air flow is sufficient to balance the pressure insidethe cartridge 4 around atmospheric pressure. For instance, the diametercan be between 0.5 to 3 mm.

In specific embodiments of the invention, the aperture 616 isdimensioned so that flow of the oral care composition 2 is notrestrained, in other words, the pressure loss caused by the aperture 616is limited to reach a suitable flow rate of the oral are composition 2when the base unit 6 is plugged into the cartridge 4. For instance, thediameter of the aperture 616 can be between 0.5 to 4 mm. In specificembodiments of the invention, overall diameter of the needle assembly610 is such that the assembly 610 is resistant enough to endure the lifecycle of the oral care appliance. Furthermore, its conical shape ensuresthe good plugging/unplugging and a good sealing with the valve assembly410. Preferably, the diameter of the needle assembly 610 is just alittle bit smaller than aperture diameter of the valve assembly 410 toallow for numerous plugging/unplugging without damaging the valves 410a, 410 b as well as to ensure good sealing between the exterior diameterof the needle assembly 610 and the valves assembly 410 when the baseunit is plugged into the cartridge 4.

In specific embodiments of the invention, the length B of the needleassembly 610 is dimensioned so that the length is long enough topenetrate the valve assembly 410 positioned in the connection interface42 of the cartridge 4 and short enough so that the apertures 614 and 616are as low as possible in the cartridge 4 to allow for draining of theentire volume of the oral care composition 2 contained in the cartridge4.

For instance, the diameter A of the needle assembly 610 can be between 3to 15 mm and the length B of the needle assembly 610 can be between 10to 30 mm.

FIG. 7A shows the cartridge 4 plugged into the base unit 6 in specificembodiments of the invention. When the needle assembly 610 of the baseunit 6 punctures the cartridge 4 and when the oral care composition 2 isdispensed from the cartridge 4 to the base unit 6, a pressure differenceis generated between the interior of the cartridge 4 and the outsideair. Due to the pressure difference, the air is injected inside thecartridge 4 through the aperture 614. In one example, the air injectioncan be done in a passive manner. The injected air equalizes the pressurewhen the oral care composition 2 is dispensed via the aperture 616 fromthe cartridge 4. The conical shape of the needle assembly 610 forces thetwo valves 410 a and 410 b to be in open position resulting in aplugging of the needle assembly 610 to the cartridge 4. The plugging ofthe needle assembly 610 to the cartridge 4 facilitates the flow of oralcare composition 2 from the cartridge 4 to the oral care appliance.

In specific embodiments of the invention in accordance with FIG. 7B, theair dispensed through the aperture 614 can be regulated by a check valve618.

In specific embodiments of the invention, the check valve 618 preventsthe oral care composition 2 from leaking through the aperture 614 whenthe cartridge 4 is plugged-in but not in use.

FIG. 8 shows the base unit 6 plugged to the cartridge 4. In theillustrated example, the needle assembly 610 of the base unit 6 has asingle aperture 616 to allow the dispensing of the oral care composition2 from the cartridge 4. An air intake aperture 444 provided on top ofthe cartridge 4 permits insertion of air inside the cartridge 4 toequalize the pressure when the oral care composition 2 is dispensed fromthe cartridge 4 through the aperture 616 of the needle assembly 610. Inspecific embodiments of the invention, the air aperture 444 can alsocomprise a valve to regulate the air entering inside the cartridge 4.

In specific embodiments of the invention as shown in FIG. 9A, the baseunit 6 comprises a mixing chamber 630 having an air inlet 635. Themixing chamber 630 is configured to form a snug fit connection with thecartridge 4 when the cartridge 4 is plugged into the base unit 6. Duringthe dispensing of the oral care composition 2 from the cartridge 4, airenters through the air inlet 635 which accumulates at the top of themixing chamber 630 as shown in FIG. 9B. When the dispensing of the oralcare composition 2 stops, the air accumulated in the mixing chamber 630is transferred to the top of the cartridge 4 as shown in FIG. 9C due todifference of the density between the oral care composition 2 and theair.

During the aspiration/dispensing of the oral care composition 2 from thecartridge 4, a pressure difference is developed between the cartridge 4and the outside air (e.g., in the mixing chamber 630). To equalize thepressure developed in the cartridge 4 and the outside of the cartridge4, air is injected in the cartridge 4 through the air inlet aperture635.

In specific embodiments of the invention as shown in FIG. 10, the baseunit 6 comprises a venturi effect chamber 640 to control flow rate ofthe oral care composition 2 from the cartridge 4. The venturi effectchamber 640 allows for dispensing of the oral care composition 2 insolid, liquid or gaseous phase. A neutral fluid can be circulated athigh velocity into the chamber 640 and, due to venturi effect, adifference of pressure is created between the chamber 640 and thecartridge 4 which drives a certain amount of the oral care composition 2into the chamber 640. The quantity of the oral care composition 2 iscontrolled by the dimensions of the outlet of the cartridge 4, the flowrate of the neutral fluid and the two flow properties. In one example,the volume of the oral care composition 2 is controlled by the diameterof the opening in the cartridge neck 48. In one embodiment, the neutralfluid is water.

In specific embodiments of the invention, a controlled quantity of theoral care composition 2 is aspirated from the cartridge 4. Theaspiration can be done by a pump or any other aspiration means. A vacuumcan be created in the base unit 6 with help of a pump to aspirate theoral care composition 2 through the needle assembly 610 to the oral careappliance.

In specific embodiments of the invention, the vacuum may be created inthe base unit 6 using a vacuum pump, peristaltic pump, a tailor-madepump, or any one-way pump or two-way pumps.

In specific embodiments of the invention, the connection between thecartridge 4 and the base unit 6 is secured by a push to plug connectionas shown in FIG. 11A-11B. In such a case, the cartridge 4 is pluggedinto the base unit 6, wherein the base unit 6 comprises at least onespring member 650. The spring member 650 is configured to engage with acorresponding member 450 of the cartridge 4 to secure the connectionwhen the cartridge 4 is plugged into the base unit 6. In order torelease the cartridge 4 from the base unit 6, the spring member 650 ispushed downwards, thereby pushing the cartridge 4 upwards to facilitateit's unplugging from the base unit 6.

In specific embodiments of the invention, the valve assembly 410 isopened when a calibrated positive pressure difference between the cavity45 and the connection between the valve assembly 410 and the base unit 6is established. This pressure difference might be generated by a pump orany means to generate a vacuum.

In specific embodiments of the invention, the cartridge 4 acts as areservoir for storing the oral care composition 2. The reservoir isprovided to be plugged once in the base unit 6 to provide the oral carecomposition 2. After utilizing the contained oral care composition 2 inthe reservoir, the user can refill the reservoir with a fresh lot oforal care composition 2.

In specific embodiments of the invention, the cartridge 4 may beselected from, but not limited to, a partially or totally flexiblecontainer, a dentifrice tube, a sachet or other material or structureused to store and dispense a composition known to persons skilled in theart. In one example, the cartridge 4 is a disposable sachet with acartridge neck 48 to be coupled to the base unit 6.

In specific embodiments of the invention, the oral care composition 2can be stored in a small dose container and inserted anywhere in theoral care appliance, not requiring the cartridge 4 nor a reservoir.

Specific embodiments of the invention provide a cartridge that may berigid and/or sealed to facilitate shipping and handling withoutdamages/leaks. Moreover, the cartridge may be an economical disposablecartridge for use in the oral care appliance. Furthermore, the cartridgecan be easily plugged to and unplugged from an oral care appliancewithout any leaks.

Although the invention has been described with regard to itsembodiments, specific embodiments and various examples, it should beunderstood that various changes and modifications as would be obvious toone having the ordinary skill in this art may be made without departingfrom the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims appendedhereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A cartridge for use in an oral care appliance,said cartridge comprising: a housing for storing an oral carecomposition; a connection interface configured to form a detachableconnection with the oral care appliance; and a valve assembly: (i)positioned in the connection interface; (ii) comprising at least twovalves; and (iii) configured to prevent escape of the oral carecomposition when the connection interface is in a detached position andto allow flow of the oral care composition, through the at least twovalves and the connection interface and to the oral care appliance, whenthe connection interface is in an attached position and the at least twovalves are both open; wherein the at least two valves are configured tobe opened by at least one member of the oral care appliance when theconnection interface is placed in the attached position.
 2. Thecartridge of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the housing isrigid.
 3. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the housing has asymmetrical shape.
 4. The cartridge of claim 1, wherein the housingcomprises a cavity for storing the oral care composition.
 5. Thecartridge of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a flexible membraneconfigured to deform in response to pressure variations.
 6. Thecartridge of claim 1, wherein the at least two valves of the valveassembly are made of a flexible material.
 7. The cartridge of claim 1,wherein the valve assembly and the at least one member of the oral careappliance forms at least one fluidic path allowing the flow of oral carecomposition through the connection interface when the connectioninterface is in the attached position.
 8. The cartridge of claim 1,wherein the connection interface is a cartridge neck.
 9. A cartridge foruse in an oral care appliance, said cartridge comprising: a housing forstoring an oral care composition; a connection interface configured toform a detachable connection with the oral care appliance; and a valveassembly positioned in the connection interface and comprising at leasttwo valves; wherein the cartridge is configured to be plugged to theoral care appliance and operatively engage with a needle assembly of theoral care appliance to facilitate flow of the oral care composition fromthe cartridge into the oral care appliance when the at least two valvesare both open; and wherein the at least two valves are configured to beopened by at least part of the needle assembly when the cartridge isplugged to the oral care appliance.
 10. The cartridge of claim 9,wherein at least a portion of the housing is rigid.
 11. The cartridge ofclaim 9, wherein the housing has a symmetrical shape.
 12. The cartridgeof claim 9, wherein the housing comprises a cavity for storing the oralcare composition.
 13. The cartridge of claim 9, wherein the housingcomprises a flexible membrane configured to deform in response topressure variations.
 14. The cartridge of claim 9, wherein the at leasttwo valves of the valve assembly are made of a flexible material. 15.The cartridge of claim 9, wherein the valve assembly and the at leastpart of the needle assembly forms at least one fluidic path allowing theflow of oral care composition through the connection interface when theconnection interface is in an attached position.
 16. The cartridge ofclaim 9, wherein the connection interface is a cartridge neck.
 17. Acartridge for use in an oral care appliance, said cartridge comprising:a housing for storing an oral care composition; a connection interfaceconfigured to form a detachable connection with the oral care appliance;and a valve assembly positioned in the connection interface andcomprising at least two valves, wherein the valve assembly is configuredto allow flow of the oral care composition when the at least two valvesare both open, and wherein the at least two valves are configured to beopened by at least one member of the oral care appliance when theconnection interface is placed in an attached position; an air intakeaperture on the housing of the cartridge; and a valve of the air intakeaperture; wherein the air intake aperture is configured to regulatepressure inside the cartridge; and wherein the valve of the air intakeaperture is configured to prevent the oral care composition from leakingout of the cartridge.
 18. The cartridge of claim 17, wherein the airaperture in the cartridge is configured to regulate pressure differencesin the cartridge and the surrounding air.
 19. The cartridge of claim 17,wherein the valve of the air intake aperture permits insertion of airinside the cartridge to equalize the pressure when the oral carecomposition is aspirated or dispensed from the cartridge.
 20. Thecartridge of claim 17, wherein the air intake aperture and the valve ofthe air intake aperture are configured to regulate an inlet of air intothe cartridge.